Continuous forms carrier



Feb. 21, 1967 J. I; FORSYTH 3,305,105

CONTINUOUS FORMS CARRIER Filed Jan. 14, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JAMES R. FOR SYTH INVENTOR BY g c FIG. 5 w G.

ATTORNEY 1967 J. R. FORSYTH CONTINUOUS FORMS CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 14, 1965 JAMES R FORSYTH INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent f 3,305,105 CONTINUOUS FORMS CARRIER James R. Forsyth, Rte. 12, Box 375,

San Antonio, Tex. 78206 Filed Jan. 14, 1965, Ser. No. 425,434 4 Claims. (Cl. 21410.5)

The present invention relates to a continuous forms carrier and more particularly to a carrier used to transport and store continuous forms utilized in connection with the operation of data processing machines.

At the present time, there is no equipment which has "been designed specifically for use in connection with the =handling of accordion folded, continuous forms utilized by many data processing machines and particularly by printers and the like. Such forms are often hand carried and manually fed into the machine, deposited upon the floor bysaid machine, and after use such forms are stored in cardboard boxes or the like.

The present invention relates to a forms carrier that has been designed to overcome these problems and which may be utilized either singly or in vertically stacked arrangementin connection with data processing machines. Such carriers may be used to store unused forms, carry forms to the machine, receive such forms from the machine, and thereafter be used to conveniently store used forms. Any desired number of such carriers may be stacked vertically to conserve storage space. An object of the present invention is the provision of a continuous forms carrier which has been designed specifically for use with data processing machines such as printers.

Another object is to provide a forms carrier which accommodates continuous forms of various dimensions.

i A further object of the invention is to provide a forms carrier which is extremely light weight yet extremely durable.

Still another object is to provide such a device which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, capable of mass production techniques, and is universal in its adaptability.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the disclosure is made in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawing inwhich:

FIG.1 shows a side elevational view of several embodiments of the invention shown in operative position relativeto a printer, illustrated in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the pre- ,ferred embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, top plan view of an end of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of an end of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along the central plane thereof.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a mobile platform which is utilized in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 6.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, side elevational'view, partly in section, showing two carriers in vertically stacked arrangement. FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, vertical sectional view showing the manner of joining and-securing together the carriers of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged, end view showing one form of securing means utilized in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 5 and 6.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, isometric view showing another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference 3,365,105 Patented Feb. 21, 1967 characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 of the drawings a printer P, such as is well known, and several embodiments of the continuous forms carrier of the subject invention which are utilized in connection therewith.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, a single forms carrier 10 is shown positioned in proximity to the input side of the printer P, said carrier holds a supply of accordion folded, continuous forms 11; two of said carriers 12-13 are in vertically stacked arrangement and placed in proximity to the output side of the printer to receive the said continuous forms after the forms have been processed by the printer in a conventional manner. It is to be understood that two of said carriers may be placed side by side on the input side of the printer to separately feed continuous forms into the said printer.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, the

carrier 10, in part, consists of an integrally formed base 14, upstanding sides and ends 15-18 which terminate upwardly in outturned lips 19-22, respectively. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 23 (see FIG. 3) are provided in the base 14 for additional strength and rigidity.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, upstanding and confronting essentially U-shaped members 24-25 are provided on each end of the carrier. For purposes of convenience only, the construction of member 25 will be described, it is to be understood that member 24 secured to the opposite end of the carrier is constructed in like manner and is an image thereto. Member 25 is integrally formed and consists of an end 26 and sides 27-28 which are turned perpendicularly inward; the lower sides and end of member 25 insert inwardly of and are secured to the sides 15, 16 and end 18, respectively, as by rivets 29 or the like. The foremost edges 30-31 of the sides 27, 28 respectively, are beveled as shown in FIG. 2, and the end 26 and the sides 27, 28 are preferably inclined slightly outward (see FIG. 3) relative to the respective vertical axes so that the forms placed in said carrier clear the respective parts as the forms are withdrawn from or deposited therein.

A handle 32 is provided on the outermost surface of end 26 and the end corresponding thereto on the opposite member 24 of the carrier for ease in carrying. The said handle consists of a flat base 33 which is fixedly secured to the respective end as by rivets 34 or other conventional securing means, and further includes an outturned arcuate portion 35 suitable for carrying.

'Fastening means 36 are provided on the upper end of each member 24, 25 to secure a plurality of said carriers in vertically stacked arrangement, or alternatively, to secure a carrier to a mobile platform 37, hereinafter to be described in detail in connection with FIG. 5 of the drawings. The said fastening means 36, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, consists of a flat, elongated bar 38, preferably of spring steel or the like, which is rotably connected to the upper, medial portion of each end as by rivets 39 or the like. Bar 38 terminates outwardly in a reduced portion which is formed into a longitudinally aligned, outwardly extending ring 40. An inwardly extending, cylindrical button 41 is secured to the undersurface of the bar adjacent the outer end thereof, said button passes through a bore 42 in the end of each member 24, 25 and inserts into aligned bores 43-44 provided in the lower end portions of the uppermost carrier. It is evident that such fastening means secures two vertically stacked carriers together; the uppermost carrier 13 may be unlocked from the carrier 12 by inserting a finger through the ring 40 on each end of the carrier and withdrawing the button from the aligned bores; as shown in FIG. 8, the bar 38 may be rotated so that the button 41 is not 3 aligned with the bore 42 but the end thereof bears against the outer surface of each of the respective ends; the hands of the user are then free to grasp the handles and with a steady upward force the upper carrier 13 is removed from the lower carrier 12.

Referring now to FIG. of the drawings, there is shown a mobile platform 37 which may be used to transport either a single carrier or a plurality of such vertically stacked carriers. More particularly, platform 37 consists of an integrally formed base and upstanding sides and ends 46-49 (side 47 not shown); a carrier inserts into such platform in tight fitting relationship with the sides and ends 46-49 extending upward into the downturned lips 19-22 heretofore mentioned. Casters 50, such as are well known, are secured to the base 45 in proximity to each corner by rivets 51 or the like. The fastening means 36, heretofore described, is provided on each end 48, 49 to secure the carrier in said mobile platform.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings there is shown two carriers 12, 13 in vertically stacked arrangement; the upper rim portions of the sides and ends of the members 24, 25 respectively, of carrier 12 insert under the lips 19- 22 of the carrier 13 and support the uppermost carrier 13 in elevated condition.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown a modification of the invention which consists of an integrally formed base 52 and upstanding sides and ends 53-56 (end 56 not shown) which terminate upwardly in outturned lips 57-60 (lip 60 not shown), respectively. Two spaced, longitudinally extending channels 61-62 extend the length of the base and open downwardly. Each end of the carrier includes an integrally formed, inverted U-shaped member 63, constructed of rod or the like, which consists of a horizontally extending member 64 and downwardly and slightly divergent legs 65-66; the legs on each end of the carrier are tied together by means of longitudinally extending, parallel members 67- 68 which insert upwardly into the channels 61, 62. As viewed in FIG. 10, an arcuate-shaped piece 69 is removed from the lips 59, 66 in proximity to each leg to accommodate the same. Furthermore, a strap 70 includes a transversely extending groove 71 which accommodates members 67, 68 at each end of the carrier, said straps being secured to the base 52 as by rivets 72 or other suitable securing means.

It is understood that plurality of such carriers may be stacked in vertical arrangement; the horizontal member 64 and the corresponding member on the opposite end of the carrier extend upwardly into the lips on the ends of the uppermost carrier thereby supporting the same.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 9 of the invention are preferably constructed of high impact plastic, molded of Fiberglas, or pressed of a light weight metal, such as aluminum.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modification of the examples of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A forms carrier comprising:

an elongated, rectangularly shaped base,

first and second sides,

first and second ends,

downwardly turned lips terminating said first and second sides and ends,

said base, sides, ends, and lips of integral construction,

first and second upstanding members fixedly secured to said first and second ends,

each of said members consisting of an end and perpendicularly inwardly extending sides,

a handle fixedly secl rerl to the end of each upstanding member, and

securing means pivotally connected to the end of each upstanding member, said securing means being mounted for movement from a useable to a nonusable position and being adapted to cooperate with an adjacent container.

2. A forms carrier comprising:

a base,

first and second sides,

first and second ends, 7

downturned lips terminating said first and second sides and ends,

said base, sides, ends, and lips of integral construction,

first and second outwardly inclined, upstanding members fixedly secured to said first and second ends,

each of said members consisting of an end and perpendicularly inwardly extending sides, and

a handle and securing means mounted on the end of each upstanding member, said securing means being mounted for movement from a usable to a nonusable position and being adapted to cooperate with an adjacent container.

3. Vertically stacked first and second forms carriers,

each of said forms carriers comprising:

a base,

first and second sides,

first and second ends,

downturned lips terminating said first and second sides and ends,

said base, sides, ends, and lips of integral construction,

first and second upstanding members fixedly secured to said first and second ends,

each of said upstanding members consisting of an end and perpendicularly inwardly extending sides,

a handle and securing means on the end of each upstanding member, said second form carrier supported by said first form carrier, an aperture in said first and second ends of said second form carrier, said securing means on the first form carrier inserted into the corresponding aperture in said second form carrier. 4. A forms carrier comprising: a base, first and second sides, first and second ends, downturned lips terminating said first and second sides and ends, said base, sides, ends and lips of integral construction, first and second outwardly inclined and upstanding members fixedly secured to said first and second ends, each of said members consisting of an end and perpendicularly inwardly extending sides, a handle and securing means mounted on the end of each upstanding member, a mobile platform consisting of a base, upstanding sides and ends integrally formed with said base, said carrier detachably secured to said platform by said securing means.

References Cited by the Examiner j UNITED STATES PATENTS 776,776 12/1904 Dietz. 1,488,025 3/ 1924 Poynter. 2,467,698 4/1949 Reynolds 220-97 X 3,013,646 12/1961 Sargent 197-133 FOREIGN PATENTS 201,499 1/1959 Austria. 527,126 3/1954 Belgium. 692,638 6/1953 Great Britain.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. 1 

1. A FORMS CARRIER COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED, RECTANGULARLY SHAPED BASE, FIRST AND SECOND SIDES, FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, DOWNWARDLY TURNED LIPS TERMINATING SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDES AND ENDS, SAID BASE, SIDES, ENDS, AND LIPS OF INTEGRAL CONSTRUCTION. FIRST AND SECOND UPSTANDING MEMBERS FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS CONSISTING OF AN END AND PERPENDICULARLY INWARDLY EXTENDING SIDES, A HANDLE FIXEDLY SECURED TO THE END OF EACH UPSTANDING MEMBER, AND SECURING MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE END OF EACH UPSTANDING MEMBER, SAID SECURING MEANS BEING MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT FROM A USEABLE TO A NONUSABLE POSITION AND BEING ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH AN ADJACENT CONTAINER. 